Cleveland Shopping Guide

Sure, Cleveland has all of the name brand stores you know and love, but the city also boasts plenty of locally-owned small businesses, crafty entrepreneurs and wildly creative artists. In other words, no matter what your style or shopping need, you’ll be able to find the perfect look.

Styling and Profiling

By Erin Toohey Naso

The terminally-hip visit the Banyan Tree for retail therapy, shopping fab clothing for the ladies, savvy gadgets for the guys and housewares for the modern Martha Stewart. Pro Tip: Shop fierce and shop local at the Banyan Tree's three locales: (1) in Tremont, (2) in Uptown near the museums and (3) at the small but mighty Banyan Box at Downtown Cleveland’s Small Box marketplace in the Warehouse District.

Preparing families for high adventure since 1932, Geiger’s is the local place for outerwear that is rugged, weatherproof and wild. The expert staff will suggest brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Salomon, Osprey Packs, Jetboil and Big Agnes to prepare you for a Metroparks hike or your Everest expedition. Locations in Lakewood and Chagrin Falls make it an easy trek. Pro Tip: Split the geographic distance and visit Geiger’s at their new Downtown location.

Fusing art and fashion, Xhibition is a high-end clothing destination that was named one of the "50 Best Menswear Shops in America" by Gear Patrol (it’s also been highlighted in GQ Magazine). Located in the heart of Ohio City (strolling distance from the West Side Market), this bro’s boutique creates a unique retail experience with commissioned exhibits, exclusive designer garment collabs and a rad-tastic assortment of unique brands.

Chic or shabby, our local boutiques have got you covered

By Jen Jones Donatelli

Here in the Cleve, it’s pretty much always “Small Business Saturday,” thanks to an impressive plethora of local vendors, shops and plucky entrepreneurs. Case in point: the roving, DIY-tastic Cleveland Bazaar (once known as Bazaar Bizarre — times have a-changed). With exhibitors like “The Republic of Cute” and “I Heart Skeletons,” you know you’re in for some crafty goodness. Pro tip: Check out clevelandbazaar.org for the latest show.

Same goes for the Cleveland Flea (aka the #CLEFLEA). This monthly maker-fest features a bevy of vendors, food trucks and the occasional flock of sheep (no joke.) This event’s cup overfloweth with creative handmade goods, and you can even learn to make your own thanks to classes ranging from “Upcycled Owl Crafting” to fruit butter workshops.

There’s also the 5th Street Arcades, a downtown hub more than 35 shops strong. Browse handcrafted furniture at Home at 5th Street, stop and smell the paper flowers at Love, Anji, or check out Natural Effect for “locally grown, locally sewn” threads. Shop anywhere in the building and present your receipt at Bright Green, and you’ll get a free 5th Street Arcade tote bag (all the better for toting your new wares). Helpful hint: Time your trip to coincide with the on-site farmers’ market, held every Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., for tasty one-stop shopping.

Over at 78th Street Studios, the “Portlandia” vibe is palpable (in the best way) during its monthly “Third Fridays” event — predictably, every third Friday of the month. This creative haven opens its doors for a spirited free-for-all during which visitors can browse 40-plus studios and art galleries, indulge in food truck fare and support various local artists doing the pop-up thing. Now, go forth and do your part for Cleveland’s economy.

Down on Main Street

By Nicole Delamotte

With a roaring waterfall as Chagrin Falls' centerpiece, this pretty-as-a-postcard hamlet is bursting with both boutique and antique shopping. Cozy up to the quaint Fireside Book Shop, pick up some home goods and gifts at the shabby-chic White Magnolia and get a fashion upgrade from Cuffs and Haven.

Most of us don’t have access to a time-traveling DeLorean. But if classic Back to the Future-style Americana is your thing, try Downtown Medina. Its small-town atmosphere and elegant Victorian architecture is home to Rustic and Refined and its unique salvaged furnishings and The Raspberry and The Rose, experts at handmade jewelry and accessories.

Find the in-brands at Cleveland's malls and lifestyle centers

By Annie Zaleski

Crocker Park
A day at this Westlake outdoor shopping mall is a whole-body experience. Snag bath bombs at Lush, get dolled up at MAC Cosmetics, stock up on home goods at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and catch a deal at Nordstrom Rack or LOFT.

ETON
This upscale cluster of stores, found on the east side in Woodmere, appeals to those who enjoy the finer things in life -- from kitchen accoutrements (Sur La Table) and electronics (Apple Store) to clothing (Free People, Anthropologie) and workout gear (Lululemon Athletica).

Beachwood Place
This 125-store behemoth on the east side in Beachwood boasts anchors Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s and Nordstrom, as well as the usual mall fare. Catch some curveballs by way of jeans stores (Madewell, True Religion) and chic fashion joint H&M.

Legacy Village
The Lyndhurst mall dubs itself a “lifestyle center,” which is actually completely accurate. Shop at Crate and Barrel and Arhaus Furniture to make your home gorgeous, and add a pop of style with gear from White House Black Market or colorful accessory store Charming Charlie.

SouthPark Mall
One of Northeast Ohio’s oldest and most established malls, this Strongsville indoor shopping bonanza has all the jewelry, shoes, clothes and body care products you could ask for, highlighted by Williams-Sonoma, Sephora, Lane Bryant and Rue 21.

Great Northern Mall
Head to the west side — North Olmsted, more precisely — to visit Great Northern, which opened in 1976. Anchor stores Dillard's, Macy's and Sears give way to a plethora of options for both teens (Hot Topic, Forever 21, Journeys) and the young at heart (Express, The Disney Store).

Steelyard Commons
Just outside of downtown Cleveland, off major highways, Steelyard Commons is a big-box superstore mecca. If you can’t find everything you need at Target or Home Depot, drop by supermarket ALDI, outerwear fave Burlington Coat Factory and discount fashion emporium Marshalls.

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